Most of us who are Christians have an unstated pride in our resumé: it’s actually not bad! We’ve worshiped the Lord for decades and done a lot of good in the world. Okay, sure, we’re thankful for Calvary. But it’s not difficult to imagine hearty applause as we approach the front door of heaven. “You did good! Come right in!”Jesus went to a party where the church’s head elder felt exactly like that. And our Savior told him a quiet story about two men who needed forgiveness.

Simon and Mary offers each of us this stark reminder: At the foot of the cross, we are all exactly the same. We each have a desperate need for Jesus and His infinite forgiveness! In the gospel song “Amazing Grace”, we are indeed the wretch. And the glorious liberation which comes as we embrace this Calvary gift is joy beyond description!.

Dan and David Smith, as a new writing team, are following in the footsteps of their uncles: Lou and Morris Venden. They share colorful anecdotes and passionate vignettes about how central the cross is to the Body of Christ. For every broken sinner or pious Pharisee, there can be but one response: “Jesus paid it all; all to Him we owe.”

Recently retired, Dan pastored large Adventist churches for his entire career in ministry. He continues to preach most weekends, shares the GraceForce podcast, and organizes mission trips and raises funds for a host of overseas charity projects. David formerly wrote radio scripts for Voice of Prophecy and is now a math professor at San Bernardino Valley College. He’s also the author of the new Rachel Marie Stone series of inspirational love stories set in the Smith family’s mission home of Bangkok.